“Maybe in in worst case scenario you might get up to 20 minute delays,” Offenberg said.

Offenberg also noted that while those lane restrictions are in place vehicles wider than 8 feet 6 inches will not be allowed on the bridge, and that vehicles weighing more 80,000 pounds will not be allowed on the bridge from May15 until December.

Rhode Island State Police will enforce these changes and will be on paid details funded by the Turnpike Authority.

RITBA officials ask frequent travelers of the bridge to have patience and realize that this construction is helping preserve this vital Rhode Island road.

“If you talk to anybody in the public that drives over this bridge, they'll say we've been working on the deck of 20-years. We have which has given us an extra 20-years of life,” said Offenberg.